STEPHEN JONES has turned down a massive six-figure offer to join Zurich Premiership big spenders Saracens, The Western Mail can reveal.

The news comes as a huge boost for Welsh rugby as Llanelli Scarlets prepare for tonight's Heineken Cup quarter-final with Biarritz.

The Wales outside-half is poised to pledge his future to the Scarlets after rejecting the #140,000 per year approach.

Jones' snub has forced the Watford club to turn their attention to France international and Montferrand star Gerald Merceron instead.

Jones' contract with the Scarlets runs out this summer and the English giants have been alerted to him by his performances for Wales in the Six Nations, following on from his World Cup form. But Llanelli want him to remain at Stradey and are involved in talks. Although Jones has yet to sign a new contract, negotiations are understood to be at an advanced stage.

Having turned down a move to the Zurich Premiership, he is expected to pledge his future to Wales' flagship side.

The goal-kicking machine's loyalty will fire up the Scarlets as they head to Stradey Park for the 10,800 sellout clash with Biarritz. It is just the boost they need before the biggest game of the season - a match which will have the whole of Wales behind them.

Victory would give Jones and co a semi-final in a fortnight's time with the winner of the Toulouse versus Edinburgh tie in Bordeaux.

And Jones, having said no to Saracens, could be the key figure for the Scarlets tonight.

Biarritz have identified the Wales No 10, scrum-half Dwayne Peel, full-back Barry Davies and back-rowers Scott Quinnell and Simon Easterby as the players they have to stop. But Jones is desperate to help the Scarlets become the first Welsh team to conquer Europe. Under Gareth Jenkins, they have reached two semi-finals and six quarter-finals, but Llanelli believe they can go the whole way this season.

And Jones is relishing the prospect of a clash of momentous proportions with a Biarritz side that includes French Grand Slam aces Dimitri Yachvili, Nicolas Brusque, Serge Betsen, Thomas Lievremont and Julien Peyrelongue.

"These are really big matches, great occasions," said the 26-year-old. "We are fortunate to be playing at a packed Stradey Park in the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup. It's the biggest competition in Europe and our main aim for the season. But I glad we are playing at home!"

The Scarlets went out of last season's competition when they were beaten 26-19 by Perpignan at Stradey after having Wales flanker Dafydd Jones sent off early in the encounter for stamping.

Jones believes Biarritz will present as big a challenge, if not bigger, saying, "I look at their squad and think it is very talented. And they are experienced. It is not such a big deal playing away in Europe any more because we are familiar with each other.

"Looking at French club rugby Biarritz are up there with the creme de la creme. Their back-line is very quick and we have got to make sure we are really clued in because the French are capable of scoring tries effortlessly."

Coach Gareth Jenkins is backing the Scarlets to erase the bitter memories of their flop against Perpignan.

"The biggest thing at regional level is to win the Heineken Cup," Jenkins said. "These things drive you. The ambition for success is not only mine, it is ours as a region."

Jenkins said the outcome of the game would depend on who was best prepared, "It is about high-level analysis and real emphasis on game plans - but we can beat them."

Jenkins has pin-pointed Yachvili, Peyrelongue, Brusque, lock David Couzinet and Australian centre John Isaac as potential stumbling blocks to a third semi-final appearance in five years.

"Yachvili and Peyrelongue have been away and had success. Brusque? We know about him - he's a star in his own right. And Isaac is a very influential player," he said.